COMELEC Officially Postpones Inaugural Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has made a significant decision to postpone the highly anticipated first-ever Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections. This move comes after careful deliberation by the electoral body, citing critical legal and operational hurdles that have yet to be resolved.
Legal and Operational Challenges Cited for Delay
According to COMELEC Chairman George Garcia, the postponement was necessitated by unresolved legal issues and operational concerns. The decision was formally approved through a resolution by the Comelec en banc during a regular session held on January 28, 2026. Garcia emphasized that holding the elections on the originally scheduled date of March 30 is no longer feasible.
The primary obstacles include the lack of an effective law for the redistricting of the Bangsamoro Parliament and insufficient time for comprehensive election preparations. These factors have created a complex scenario that requires immediate attention before the electoral process can proceed smoothly.
Timeline of Legislative Actions and Funding Status
The redistricting measures were only approved by the parliament in the final reading on January 13, 2026. Subsequently, Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua signed these measures into law on January 20. This tight timeline has contributed to the delays, as the necessary legal framework was not established well in advance of the election date.
Financially, the election requires a substantial budget of approximately P2.5 billion. Notably, COMELEC has reported that funding remains intact, with P1.2 billion already recovered. This amount was initially used for ballot printing in preparation for the originally scheduled Bangsamoro parliamentary election, which was first set to take place on October 13, 2025.
The postponement underscores the intricate balance between legal mandates and practical execution in organizing such a historic electoral event. As stakeholders await further developments, the focus now shifts to addressing the identified challenges to ensure a successful and transparent election in the future.
